1. Enable Weather Compensation
Weather compensation automatically adjusts the flow temperature based on outdoor temperature — running warmer on cold days and cooler on mild days. This is one of the most impactful efficiency settings. Ensure it is enabled on your controller.
2. Lower Your Flow Temperature
Heat pumps are most efficient at lower flow temperatures (35–45°C). If your radiators are adequately sized, reducing the flow temperature by 5°C can increase efficiency by 5–10%. Work with your engineer to find the lowest flow temperature that still heats your home adequately.
3. Run Continuously Rather Than Scheduling
Unlike a gas boiler, a heat pump is most efficient when running steadily at a low level. A slight overnight setback (1–2°C) is fine; switching off completely means a cold start that requires the system to work harder.
4. Keep Outdoor Unit Clear
Ensure nothing obstructs airflow around the outdoor unit. Check regularly for leaves, garden furniture, and debris. Good airflow maintains high CoP.
5. Switch to a Heat Pump Tariff
Time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Intelligent or Economy 10 offer cheaper off-peak rates. Programming your heat pump to run more during cheap-rate hours reduces bills significantly.
6. Improve Insulation
Every degree of heat loss reduction allows your heat pump to run at a lower, more efficient output. Loft insulation, cavity fill, and draught-proofing all pay back quickly.
7. Bleed Radiators Annually
Air in the heating system reduces radiator performance. Bleeding your radiators each autumn removes trapped air and helps heat distribute evenly.
8. Keep Filters Clean
If your indoor unit has air filters, clean them every 1–3 months. A blocked filter can reduce efficiency by 5–15%.
9. Book Annual Servicing
An annual service by a qualified engineer restores the system to peak operating condition. Dirty coils and slightly-low refrigerant both reduce CoP measurably.
10. Monitor Your Energy Use
Use your heat pump’s built-in monitoring (most modern units show live CoP or COP history in the app) to track efficiency. Sudden drops in CoP indicate a developing fault worth investigating early.
Sources: Great British Insulation Scheme and time-of-use tariffs.
